John H. Guenther
Hartington — John H.Guenther, 81, Hartington, died Feb. 2, 2007, at the Avera Heart Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Visitation and a rosary were Feb. 6 at the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington. A Vigil Service with a Video Tribute was held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington.
Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 7 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with the Rev. Dan Guenther, Rev. John Pietramale, Msgr. Cyril Werner, and Rev. Tim Lange officiating.
Burial was at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Hartington, with military services by the Hartington VFW Post 5283.
Pallbearers were his grandchildren, Brian Pravecek, Keith Pravecek, Tina and Greg Paquette, Seth and Angie Guenther, Ashley, Kyle, and Abby Guenther, Kami and Josef Patterson, and Holli and Stephen Banes.
Honorary pallbearers were his godchildren, Eugene Guenther, Alice Farrell, Barbara Brandon, Dennis Wortmann, Beverly Hoebelheinrich, Glen Guenther and Ed Steffen.
John was born March 29, 1925, at Crofton, to Ferdinand J. and Mary W. (Foxhoven) Guenther. He grew up on a farm between Crofton and Constance. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He then returned to the Constance area and married Ethel Lange Feb. 2, 1952, at Coleridge. After his marriage, they farmed west of Fordyce until moving to the St. James area in 1958. In 1960, they moved to a farm north of Wynot. They moved into Hartington in 1984 and John then worked for several area farmers.
John was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and had a perpetual hour of adoration. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, the Hartington VFW Post 5283, and the Hartington American Legion. He loved to play cards and spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
John is survived by five children and their spouses, Malicha and Dennis Pravecek, Tyndall, S.D.; Geralyn Guenther, Gayville, S.D.; Kevin and Marie Guenther, Owasso, Okla.; Larry and Ann Guenther, Arvada, Colo.; Marianne Guenther, Lincoln; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three sisters, Elizabeth Hames, Yankton, S.D.; Ann Wortmann, Hartington; Rose and Roman Burbach, Hartington; two brothers, Joseph and Marcie Guenther, South Sioux City; Albert and Janice Guenther, Norfolk; and a sister-in-law, Rosemary Guenther, Crofton. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Oct. 16, 2006, at the age of 79; two brothers, Fred and Clarence Guenther; and two sisters, Catherine Dreismeier and Mary Steffen.
Family and friends can view the video Tribute and send online condolences at www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.